Actually, there is an agency in Beijing called the Beijing Military Public Security Bureau, which is responsible for the city's security, including fire prevention and tax collection. This is similar to the Ming Dynasty's Five Cities' Military Office.
The duties of the Embroidered Knife Guardians and the Public Security Bureau are somewhat similar. However, if we divide them specifically, the Five Cities' Military Office is like the public security bureau, while the Embroidered Knife Guardians are akin to urban management.
Both are powerful departments in their own right.
Gu Qingheng is currently the captain of the urban management team.
And the commander of the Beijing Military Public Security Bureau is Cha Anbo, who is the cousin of Empress Dowager Jiang.
In fact, according to logic, a newcomer like Gu Qingheng shouldn't have gotten such a position, but the Emperor favored him.
